Alan Beucher ’48

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By
Cornell Report Staff

Entertainer Alan Joseph Beucher ’48 died on Sept. 25, 2015, at Carle Place, New York, at age 90.

Beucher received a music degree from Cornell College after a three-year interruption in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He then received a master’s degree in voice at Syracuse University and went to New York City where he found a niche during the early days of television, appearing and singing on shows hosted by Perry Como, Dinah Shore, Jackie Gleason, Fred Waring, and Mary Martin.

In 1958 he made his first appearance at Radio City Music Hall using his stage name, Alan Cole. Over the next 18 years, he appeared there as a vocalist and as master of ceremonies. As emcee, he introduced the Rockettes more than 20,000 times. He also played the role of Santa Claus at Radio City more than 1,500 times, often logging four performances a day.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce, a son, a daughter, and five grandchildren.